Venues – Buying & Savings Tips | Consumer Advice | Local Businesses | DexKnowshttp://local.dexknows.com
Tips for Smart Local ConsumersTue, 01 Oct 2013 17:12:51 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4Tips for Sampling Catering Menushttp://local.dexknows.com/tips-for-sampling-menus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tips-for-sampling-menus
Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:17:05 +0000http://local.dexknows.com/?p=885Satisfying food is one of the most important elements of a successful event or gathering. These tips for sampling menus help you choose the tastiest food possible when planning an event.

Ensure that sampling is offered

A reputable venue or caterer will have no problem letting you taste the menu items. You’ll probably need to make an appointment, but you should be able to take your time sampling potential food items. If they tell you sampling isn’t a possibility, find another venue or caterer, because it’s important that you know what the food served to your guests tastes like prior to the event.

Go with an appetite

While you don’t want to be ravenous when you sample your potential menu items, which may cause you to eat too quickly, you also don’t want to be so stuffed from lunch that you have a hard time eating. Having a light snack an hour or two before your appointment will give you plenty of room to sample the entire menu.

Clear your palette in between menu items

Take a trick from wine tasters and make sure to clear your palette in between each menu item by taking a drink of water and, if possible, a bite from a saltine cracker. This way you won’t mix flavors while tasting, which could negatively affect your menu choices.

Take notes

It’s easy to get confused about what you liked the best when you have several items to taste. Create a food sampling menu checklist along with a 1 to 5 rating and a place to note your thoughts on each dish. This is especially helpful if you’re sampling menus with someone else, as it allows you to effectively compare notes and make a final decision.

Taste like a vegetarian

Chances are you’ll have individuals on your guest list who are vegetarian or vegan. When sampling menu items, do your best to choose the tastiest options for those guests with special dietary restrictions. The same goes for individuals with medical restrictions, such as diabetics.

Be open-minded

You may love anchovies, but not everyone does. When tasting, try to choose foods that appeal to a broad spectrum of individuals. If possible, bring along two other individuals to help you sample, which gives you a good chance of hitting many potential taste preferences. Choose a varied menu when making your final choices so that all of your guests have something they can enjoy.

Tasting potential menu items for your event is a fun and tasty experience, and the reward of satisfied guests is well worth the effort.

]]>Finding the Best Event Facility for a Bridal Showerhttp://local.dexknows.com/finding-the-best-event-facility-for-a-bridal-shower/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=finding-the-best-event-facility-for-a-bridal-shower
Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:48:34 +0000http://besmartlocal.dexknows.com/?p=532A bridal shower is an anticipated event that a bride-to-be is sure to remember for a lifetime. Finding the best event venue for a bridal shower makes the day even more enjoyable.

Match your event to the facility

Various venues are well-suited for certain types of bridal shower events and themes. If you’re planning a bridal shower tea party, for instance, a teahouse is the perfect venue. A shower with a nautical theme is perfectly suited for an ocean or lakeside facility, whereas a fun night out on the town is best held at a nightclub or karaoke bar. Keep in mind that the bridal shower theme and venue should match the bride’s personality.

Consider capacity

Ensure that the number of occupants allowed at the facility is at least 15 percent more than the number of your expected guests. This allows for last-minute additions. The maximum occupancy limits are important, as they take into consideration the safety of your guests in case of an emergency such as a fire. These numbers are devised to ensure that the facility can be evacuated safely and efficiently.

Visit the facility

Once you have a list of your favorite facilities, make appointments to visit at the time of day that you plan on having the shower. This will show you what the facility offers in terms of lighting for photos at that time of day and gives you an idea of particulars such as the parking situation. It’s also a good idea to see if you like how the facility looks and feels and if you think the bride will feel the same.

Seek out satisfied customers

Reading online reviews is a good place to start when assessing if a facility is for you. Keep in mind that if, for example, you’re using a restaurant to host a bridal shower, not all reviews will apply to your situation. If a reviewer is complaining about their server and you’re having a buffet, that review isn’t especially valuable to you. Try to seek out reviews of the business as an event facility.

You many want to ask the manager of the facility for referrals and talk to people who have used the facility for bridal showers and similar events. Find out what they liked and disliked about their experiences and if they would recommend using the facility to others. Also, ask for advice regarding your shower. They may tell you, for instance, what they would do differently if they were to hold another shower at the facility.

Inquire about menu flexibility

You may have guests with dietary restrictions, such as those with vegetarian or vegan diets and individuals with food allergies. If this is the case, it’s vital that the facility is equipped to handle menu adjustments. Ask how they deal with food alterations and request to see a sample menu, which you can review with the guests who require a customized meal.

Finding the ideal bridal shower event facility is sure to make for a fun, memorable day that leads to a forever-grateful bride.